o0O0o

"You've Got Mail!"

Startled, Duncan shot up from his bed and sat, rubbing his eyes. He looked at the alarm clock that sat on his bedside table thing in between his bed and his roommate's, Geoff. It was 2:47. AM. He went to bed about 5 hours ago and he actually stayed up for that long?

"Dude, you really gotta shut that thing up… it's been goin' off ever since sophomore days, and if that thing keeps me up every night of senior year, I swear I'll…" Geoff yawned before trailing off back to sleep.

"Just shut up and sleep." Duncan threw a pillow at the now snoring Geoff. So this is what he's like when he's not throwing a huge riot of a party, Duncan smirked at the thought before sleepily pulling out his Mac laptop from underneath the bed. The screen blinked "Mail" with a little envelope icon below and he clicked on it.

"Message from: violinChick754" the new eMail subject said. Duncan could feel the corners of his mouth pulling into a smile and his face brightening as he clicked to see what the message was. No matter how late it was on a school night, he would stay up all night reading messages from her:

I still can't believe Mr. McClean substituting for Chemistry could be a total fail! The way almost anything made out of glass in that classroom exploded just by the sound of him SCREAMING was priceless! It was too awesome.

P.S. – Sorry if I woke you up. I know it's pretty late, but I can't sleep… Too much thinking…

Duncan chuckled at the memory of Mr. McClean's distraught face when he saw some scrawny kid chop open a frog's stomach with just his hand and frog guts showered everyone. He replied:

Ha! I know, right? It's all thanks to that kid… what's his name… Arnold? Something like that? I dunno lol. Who knew he'd have a random spaz attack in his arm at that very moment when Mr. McClean stuck his head near the frog (for not even God knows why)! And it's okay, I couldn't really sleep anyway. What's on your mind, Princess?

He clicked "send" and waited for a response. This had been going on ever since the 2nd year of high school, just like Geoff mentioned before. And Duncan had to admit, high school became instantly better after eMailing his long-time penpal once in a while to vent, laugh, or just talk. But lately, the eMails hadn't come and go for just once in a while, and now they have been coming almost nonstop, and Duncan didn't mind one bit.

Courtney twisted a thread of mocha-colored hair through her fingers anxiously as she waited for a reply. Once the screen blinked, she jumped at her olive green laptop and immediately read over the message. She felt her face heat up at the last word "Princess", which was the nickname he gave her without her approval. She covered her face with the blankets underneath the laptop so her roommate (and best friend) Bridgette wouldn't possibly see. In just a couple of seconds, she was already typing up a reply:

Well, nothing too important… Okay, well I guess it is… you know how it's already our senior year of college already, right? Well, I still didn't really decide where I'm going to, but I think I'm gonna consider to Princeton or somewhere like that… What about you?

Clicking "send", Courtney felt fully awake. It was too bad that she didn't know who the guy that she'd been eMailing and texting for more than half of her high school years was. She'd confided in him when there was no one else, and she had to admit, he was the bright side of her daily life! All she knew about him was that they went to the same school, and that they're in the same grade. She knew that she probably never met him before; there was no guy in that school that she would recognize as her penpal buddy.

Courtney knew that there are creepy, old, stalkers out there, so she couldn't risk her identity and safety. In conclusion, names were never really mentioned at all. No specifics, no family connections, no friends, etc. Teacher names, nicknames, and their usernames were the only exceptions. Courtney liked mysteries, but sometimes, she just craved to know who this guy was! Whether or not what he had been telling her was completely honest, Courtney knew one very true fact:

She might be in love with him.

I was actually thinking of going to Princeton too. Hey, I just noticed: Princess going to Princeton! Maybe you'll also meet your prince there… (hint hint, sweetheart, that's why I want to go!) Don't worry your beautiful head away about it, though. You'll know exactly what to do.

Duncan replied. He remembered the countless ways he tried narrowing this girl down in his school, but he was in no luck finding her out. It was up to the point where he found himself like a lost little boy, desperately looking for his mom. That was when Geoff had hooked him up with the hottest, most popular girl in school, Heather Chin.

After being his girlfriend for about a year, he finally broke up with her, finding her clingy and bitchy. He hadn't really even liked her anyway; it was just something to bring himself back up on his feet when he was having trouble dealing with his penpal's unknown identity. In fact, he just needed time, not a girlfriend! He realized this after the break up, but Heather thought otherwise. She demanded revenge, but Duncan couldn't give a crap.

The laptop dinged as a reply arrived.

Really? Wow, we can go together then! Thanks, at least that cooled me down a bit. But about that… I was thinking… Well, you know how we've known each other for a pretty long time, and how you've said that I'll meet my "prince" at Princeton, but I was thinking that maybe we could… I dunno…

Duncan's brow raised slightly in confusion. "Thinking that we could… what?" He thought aloud. Suddenly, an idea hit him so hard he thought that he was gonna faint. But he didn't. He couldn't possibly pass an opportunity like this! He quickly replied with an excited smile:

Meet?

Courtney gasped slightly at the response. How could he have possibly read her mind?

Hopefully he doesn't think I'm a total creep for typing that. She thought worriedly. Courtney bit her lip; she was risking her safety, her identity, herself for that matter! But her anxiousness got the best of her. Maybe she should… She'll take Bridgette with her just in case? Where would it even be? What time? Not during school, right? Maybe off school hours? What is she even going to wear?

"Ugh, worry tomorrow. Sleep, now" She decided forcefully. Even though she didn't want to pull herself away from his messages, she didn't want to deprive him from his sleep; they did go to the same school, anyway. Finals were tomorrow anyway!

I guess so. Is that okay with you? We can worry about the details tomorrow; I don't want to completely deprive you from your sleep. We've got finals tomorrow, you know! But anyway… is it a "yes"?

She didn't close her laptop until she got a reply, which didn't take long. As always, she thought to herself, smiling.

Definitely yes, Princess. And don't worry about my sleep; I'm only sleeping to dream about you. Good luck with the finals (it's not like you'll need it, but just in case ;) don't worry. Good night!

Duncan quickly added the last part so he wouldn't seem so weird about the "sleeping to dream about you" part. He was so happy that he tried to reply as quickly as possible. He's been dreaming about the day they meet for so long, and he wanted to jump out of bed and just run to her. But for now, he had to go with her wishes and put it to the side for now. He had to be honest with himself, he wasn't exactly the best student, and he did have a bit trouble, so Duncan knew that he just had to finish the stupid finals, get it over with, and then focusing on finding out who is probably the love of his life.

Before finally dozing off, Duncan quickly glanced at his laptop once it blinked with a new message.

Awesome! I can't wait until the day! Once finals are over, then it'll be just you and I. Sweet dreams.

And with that, Duncan ran his hands through his green Mohawk and fell asleep with a reassured smile on his face. Sweet dreams, indeedy, he thought.

o0O0o

Please review! I'd like to know if it's a good start and whether or not I should continue. Thanks for readin'! New updates coming soon. ~Raf